SSC Expands Social Sciences Division, Aims to Launch Paralegal Program

September 10, 2025Josh Hutton

In this photo, Seminole State College Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs Dr. Bill Knowles, Assistant Professor Paul B. Smith, J.D, Assistant Professor Dr. Brenda Prochaska and Social Sciences Division Chair Jeffrey Christiansen pose for a photo following a meeting about the College’s Paralegal program, set to launch in the fall of 2026. — _{Seminole State College Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs Dr. Bill Knowles, Assistant Professor Paul B. Smith, J.D, Assistant Professor Dr. Brenda Prochaska and Social Sciences Division Chair Jeffrey Christiansen pose for a photo following a meeting about the College’s Paralegal program, set to launch in the fall of 2026.}

Seminole State College has hired Paul B. Smith, J.D. and Dr. Brenda Prochaska as Assistant Professors in the College’s Social Sciences Division. Smith, a former District Attorney for Oklahoma’s 22nd Judicial District, will help the College prepare to launch an Associate in Applied Science in Paralegal Studies in August 2026.

Smith served as District Attorney for District 22 — which includes Seminole, Hughes and Pontotoc counties — from January 2017 to January 2023. He previously held leadership roles in the office, including First Assistant District Attorney and Chief Prosecutor beginning in 2011, and Assistant District Attorney from 1990 to 2011.

During his tenure, Smith prosecuted major felony cases across the district, including a 2017 “no-body” child-abuse murder case — a homicide pursued without the victim’s remains — that drew state and national attention. He also led or participated in appellate and policy work related to jurisdictional changes following McGirt v. Oklahoma. He was admitted to the bar of the U.S. Supreme Court in 2018, authorizing him to file briefs and appear before the court.

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SSC Announces New President’s Leadership Class

August 27, 2025Josh Hutton

In this photo, freshmen members of the Seminole State College President’s Leadership Class pose for a group photo. — *_{Freshmen members of the Seminole State College President’s Leadership Class attended a reception at the Jasmine Moran Children’s Museum on Aug. 26.}*

Seminole State College has selected 26 freshmen students for Class XIX of the President’s Leadership Class.

The leadership students, along with their parents, attended a reception held at the Jasmine Moran Children’s Museum on Tuesday, August 26.

SSC President Lana Reynolds opened the evening with a warm welcome to students and their families. Members of the college’s Administrative Council then shared insights about their departments and how they contribute to student success. Speakers included Dr. Bill Knowles, Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs; Melanie Rinehart, Vice President for Finance, Grants & Enrollment; Jessica Isaacs, Dean of Instruction; and Marc Hunter, Director of Information Technology and Chief Information Security Officer.

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SSC Welcomes New Students at Orientation

August 18, 2025Josh Hutton

In this photo, Students fill the Jeff Johnston Auditorium during Seminole State College’s New Student Orientation on Aug. 16. — Students fill the Jeff Johnston Auditorium during Seminole State College’s New Student Orientation on Aug. 16. The program introduced campus technology, financial aid and student support resources, and offered time to connect with faculty and staff. Classes began at SSC on Aug. 18, but enrollment remains open through Aug. 22.

In this photo, SSC Student Support Services/SSS STEM Director Jana Wilson-Byrd (left) and President Lana Reynolds (right) welcomed students as the New Student Orientation event began. — SSC Student Support Services/SSS STEM Director Jana Wilson-Byrd (left) and President Lana Reynolds (right) welcomed students as the New Student Orientation event began.

In this photo, Seminole State College faculty and staff are shown on stage performing “Pick Your Professor,” a game-show skit where a student interviews professors to find the best fit for their learning style. — “Pick Your Professor,” a game-show skit where a student interviews professors to find the best fit for their learning style, takes the stage during New Student Orientation on Aug. 16. Pictured, from left: Director of Communications Josh Hutton, Student Support Services Tutor Shannon Bennett, Assistant Professor of Business and Education Brad Schatzel, Student Support Services Advisor Megan Goff and Director of Community Relations Kim Pringle.

SSC to Host New Student Orientation Aug. 16

August 14, 2025Josh Hutton

In this photo, incoming freshman at the 2024 SSC new student orientation pose for a group photo. — _{Incoming students and their families will gather at Seminole State College’s Jeff Johnston Fine Arts Auditorium for New Student Orientation on Saturday, Aug. 16, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event will feature sessions on financial aid, campus technology, student resources and opportunities to connect with faculty, staff and peers before the fall semester begins.}

Seminole State College will welcome incoming students and their families to campus for New Student Orientation on Saturday, Aug. 16, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Jeff Johnston Fine Arts Auditorium.

The annual event is designed to help students transition into college life, connect with campus resources and start the semester with confidence.

The day will begin at 11 a.m. with a joint welcome for students and parents in the Jeff Johnston Fine Arts Auditorium. At 11:30 a.m., parents will move to Social Sciences Room 104 for a session titled Financial Aid 101, while students remain in the auditorium for Slay the Classroom, a presentation on utilizing campus technology and tips for academic success.

At 12:20 p.m., students and parents will reunite in the auditorium for Know Your Resources = Know Your Power, a session focused on student support services and tools available to help them succeed.

From 1 p.m. to 2 p.m., attendees are invited to enjoy free snacks and socializing in the Boren Library.

“This orientation is a great opportunity for students to meet faculty and staff, ask questions, and get comfortable with our campus before classes begin,” SSC Student Support Services/SSS STEM Director Jana Wilson-Byrd said.

For more information, contact Wilson-Byrd at j.wilsonbyrd@sscok.edu. Classes begin at SSC on Aug. 18 and enrollment remains open through Aug. 22.

SSC Extends Office Hours for Fall Semester Start

August 11, 2025August 14, 2025Josh Hutton

In this photo, SSC students are shown in the campus bookstore, purchasing essentials for the upcoming semester. — _{Extended office hours at Seminole State College will run from Aug. 16 through Aug. 22 to help students prepare for the fall semester. Services will be available in the Walkingstick Student Services Building, including admissions, advising, financial aid, testing and the SSC Bookstore.}

With classes beginning on Aug. 18 and enrollment open through Aug. 22, Seminole State College will offer extended office hours in the Walkingstick Student Services Building to provide students and prospective students additional opportunities to complete enrollment and prepare for the semester. Extended hours will begin Saturday, Aug. 16, and continue through the first week of classes.

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To accommodate busy schedules, SSC will keep the admissions office, advising offices, financial aid office, testing center and SSC Bookstore open beyond regular business hours. The extended schedule includes Saturday, Aug. 16, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., which also serves as Student Orientation Day. From Monday, Aug. 18 through Thursday, Aug. 21, offices will be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. On Friday, Aug. 22, the hours will be from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

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SSC Names Students to Summer Honor Roll

August 1, 2025Josh Hutton

In this photo, an arial view of students, family members, faculty and staff is shown on the SSC campus after graduation. — *_{SSC named 179 students to its Summer Honor Rolls. Students achieved a 3.5 GPA or above and were enrolled in at least six credit hours.}*

Seminole State College has released the names of honor roll students for the 2025 summer term. A total of 179 students were recognized for their academic achievements.

The Summer Honor Roll is comprised of students who successfully completed six or more credit hours in the summer term and maintained a 3.5 grade-point-average or above.

Students named to the Summer Honor Roll include (listed by hometown):

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SSC Upward Bound Students Experience Summer of Learning and Exploration

August 1, 2025Josh Hutton

_{SSC Upward Bound students pose for a photo inside the Dallas Cowboys locker room at AT&T Stadium during their “Big Trip” to Dallas. The group toured the stadium as part of a week filled with college visits and cultural experiences.}

Seminole State College’s Upward Bound federal grant program hosted a series of summer camps and trips for nearly 160 area high school students, offering academic enrichment, college readiness and cultural experiences.

Approximately 125 students who recently completed their 9th through 11th grade years participated in a residential camp on the SSC campus from May 27 to June 26. These students attend 20 partnering high schools, including Bowlegs, Butner, Earlsboro, Holdenville, Graham-Dustin, Macomb, Maud, New Lima, Okemah, Paden, Seminole, Shawnee, Strother, Stroud, Tecumseh, Varnum, Weleetka, Wetumka and Wewoka.

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SSC Student-Athletes Earn NJCAA Academic Honors

July 30, 2025July 31, 2025Josh Hutton

In this photo, SSC Athletic Director Leslie Sewell welcomes athletes across all sports to campus in the fall of 2024. — _{Five teams and 52 student-athletes were recently recognized for their academic achievements by the NJCAA. (Pictured) SSC Athletic Director Leslie Sewell welcomes athletes across all sports to campus in the fall of 2024.}

Fifty-two student-athletes and five athletic teams at Seminole State College have been honored by the National Junior College Athletic Association for their academic excellence in the 2024-2025 academic year. The NJCAA Academic All-American Student-Athlete Awards are presented in three categories: First Team (4.0 GPA), Second Team (3.80-3.99 GPA), and Third Team (3.60-3.79 GPA).

“This recognition is a reflection of the commitment our student-athletes make every day—not only to their teams, but to their academic goals as well,” SSC Athletic Director Leslie Sewell said. “We’re incredibly proud of their accomplishments.”

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Healthcare Leader and SSC Alumna Visits New Nursing Simulation Lab

July 17, 2025Josh Hutton

In this photo, SSM Health St. Anthony Hospital - Shawnee President Angi Mohr (left) and Seminole State College Nursing and Health Sciences Program Director Dr. Misty Gray (right) explore the new federally-funded simulation lab at the college.

SSM Health St. Anthony Hospital – Shawnee President Angi Mohr (left) and Seminole State College Nursing and Health Sciences Program Director Dr. Misty Gray (right) explore the new federally-funded simulation lab at the college. Mohr, who is a graduate of the SSC Nursing Program, a member of the SSC Alumni Hall of Fame, and a Trustee of the SSC Educational Foundation, met July 16 with Gray and SSC President Lana Reynolds to discuss possible partnerships between the hospital and the college. SSM Health provides clinical experiences for SSC nursing students and is a major employer of the program’s graduates.

SSC PTA Students Honored at Pinning Ceremony

July 10, 2025July 17, 2025Josh Hutton

Pictured (left to right): PTA Instructor Lisa Knight, graduates Jaylee Friend of Prague, Rikki Pettigrew of Ada, Allie Ratcliff of Shawnee and PTA Program Director Shakira Stafford. Not pictured is graduate Jason Podimannil of Yukon.

Seminole State College Physical Therapist Assistant students celebrated their pinning ceremony on July 9 at Gordon Cooper Technology Center in Shawnee. Pictured (left to right): PTA Instructor Lisa Knight, graduates Jaylee Friend of Prague, Rikki Pettigrew of Ada, Allie Ratcliff of Shawnee and PTA Program Director Shakira Stafford. Not pictured is graduate Jason Podimannil of Yukon. The PTA program includes physical therapy coursework and on-site clinical education. The technical portion can be completed in 11 months. Graduates receive an Associate of Applied Science degree and are eligible to take the licensure examination to become a physical therapist assistant. The program is housed at GCTC.